Check Out Erica’s Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to Erica.

Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
It really started the first time I was on a film set — I was only four years old, in Argentina. I didn’t understand everything that was happening around me, but I remember the energy, the lights, the movement — and how magical it all felt. Something about that day stayed with me.

Years later, when I was living in California, I found my way back onto sets as a background actor. At first, it was just for fun — a way to be part of something creative. But being there reignited that childhood feeling. I realized that what truly fascinated me wasn’t just being in front of the camera, but everything happening behind it — the design, the textures, the atmosphere that the art department created.

That’s when I fell in love with the craft of visual storytelling. I started working more behind the scenes, learning from every project and every crew I joined. What began as curiosity turned into passion — and that passion became my path into the film industry.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Finding consistent work in the film industry can definitely be a hustle. There are times when projects slow down or opportunities feel uncertain, and you have to stay persistent and creative to keep moving forward.

One of the biggest challenges for me has been learning to adapt — to stay open to different roles and departments. Over time, I’ve branched out into wardrobe, makeup, producing, and writing. Each shift came from a mix of curiosity and necessity, but in the process I discovered new passions and skills that have made me a stronger, more well-rounded storyteller.

Every challenge has taught me something valuable — patience, flexibility, and the importance of collaboration. In this industry, you have to keep showing up, keep learning, and trust that the hard work will open new doors.

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
For me, film has always been a way to translate emotion into something you can see and feel. I’m drawn to the spaces between the lines — the mood of a room, the color of a feeling, the small visual details that tell a story before a single word is spoken.

My work spans across art direction, wardrobe, makeup, producing, and writing — all different paths that lead back to the same purpose: storytelling. I love building worlds that feel lived in and real, whether it’s through the set design or the way a character carries the weight of their story in what they wear.

What sets me apart is how deeply I connect to the heart of each project. I don’t just want things to look beautiful — I want them to mean something. Every texture, every choice, every frame should serve emotion and truth. I think that’s the magic of filmmaking — finding beauty in the real, and realness in the beautiful.

Can you talk to us a bit about happiness and what makes you happy?
What makes me happiest is creating — building something from an idea and bringing people together to make it real. There’s nothing like the energy that comes from collaboration, from watching words on a page transform into living, breathing moments through a team’s shared vision.

Recently, I finished my short film “Hello-Goodbye,” which is currently in post-production. It’s one of the many stories I’ve written, but the first to be brought to life. I produced it alongside my friend and colleague, Fabian Montes-Sanchez, and it was pure joy — exchanging ideas, building the world, and putting together our dream team of crew and talent.

Right now, I’m also producing my first theater play, “The Last Hat,” which will be the first horror production ever staged at the Santa Monica Playhouse. It’s thrilling to explore a new medium and see how storytelling changes when it’s happening live, right in front of you.

Creating — whether on screen or on stage — is what makes me happiest. It’s where imagination meets collaboration, and where stories find their heartbeat.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @artdeptdiaries
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Erica-Tenaglia/pfbid0wcrFtu79SpQYtJmEHEeta8DSf1NbqFF3YsGhoz74MkDqtBaTtJaBDDWtMAYe6g57l/
• Other: IMDB: Erica Tenaglia

Image Credits
The first picture is from “Hello-Goodbye” I took the picture of the female leads (Chelsea Delfin, Ayden Ricker, Angel Peaches Juarez, Eligia Gonzalez) with Director Fabian Montes-Sanchez and Make up artist Sharlene Adame.

The second picture is showing the steps I took to create the prop masks for the movie “Trope” a BET Plus original.

The third is a collage of several sets created and props done for horror films.